Original post blogged on b2evolution.

Original post blogged on b2evolution.

The countdown to Easter is here. I’m super excited about several events taking place through the ministry of Park Hill Baptist Church.  Over the next nine days we are focused on the following:

MUSIC – The Sanctuary Choir and Orchestra will lead in worship on Sunday evening, April 17^th at 6:30 p.m.  Your heart will be blessed as they share “Raise the Crown”. Let the music of God’s People stir your soul and inspire you as we walk toward the Easter Sunday.

DISCIPLESHIP – We’re hosting a “Secret Church Simulcast”. We have the opportunity to join with many other sites as David Platt, pastor of The Church at Brook Hills, shares from God’s Word and helps churches pray for persecuted Believers around the world.  We meet in the Fellowship Hall at Park Hill from 6 p.m. – midnight on April 22^nd. I can’t wait to be a part of this time in the Word. Come expecting a blessing and to be challenged to be fully devoted.

CHILDREN – Saturday morning, April 23^rd at 10:00 a.m. we have 20 sites in N. Little Rock, Sherwood, and Maumelle that are going to offer Easter egg hunts. At each site the resurrection story will be told in a fresh and creative way to children and adults alike. More details on the church website: www.parkhillbaptist.org

EASTER WORSHIP SERVICES:  We would love for you to come and be in one of our Easter services at either 8:15 or 10:55 a.m. on Sunday, April 24^th. Together through music and message we will affirm that Jesus is Risen! No time in the calendar year is more exciting and meaningful to me than Easter. Because Jesus lives we have hope and promise.

These are days of great opportunity. Pray that lives will be changed for eternity.

On the subject of Teamwork he states: “In leadership, no word is more important than trust.”

In thinking about Handling a Crisis: “When you screw up, admit you are wrong. Apologize in front of the whole team. To admit a mistake is not a weakness, its strength.”

In writing on Getting Organized: “Recruit great individuals who are willing to be part of a team and who are coachable.”

These are just a few of the many helpful strategies I have picked up from reading this book. I love the beauty of how transferable his principles are to so many different areas of leadership.

Every day I carry a small Moleskin notebook with me. I use this little journal to record what God is teaching me. This is a way to document some things that are worth remembering. Little by little pages of the notebook are filled up with what I consider helpful insights.

Here are just four recent quotes I have jotted down that made me think or reinforced what I believe. Perhaps by sharing these thoughts it will spur fresh insights in your life.

·         “Every great leader I’ve ever met has been a great reader.” – Jim Rohn (America’s business philosopher).

·         “Every Christian worth his or her salt reads the Bible from cover to cover every year.” – J.I. Packer (Theologian)

·         “God-sized dreams keep us on our knees in raw dependence upon God.” – Mark Batterson (Pastor)

·         “It is better to be faithful than famous.” – Teddy Roosevelt (President)

3 Good Scriptures:

n  1 Peter 5:7 – He cares for you.

n  1 Corinthians 15:58  - Never give up.

n  Roman 1:16 – The Gospel is powerful.

3 Challenging Books to Read:

n  Radical – David Platt

n  Same Kind of Different as Me – Ron Hall & Denver Moore

n  The Hole in Our Gospel – Richard Sterns

3 Thought provoking Quotes:

n  “Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power.” – Abraham Lincoln

n  Advice Mother Teresa gave someone when asked how they could make a difference with their life the way she’d made with hers. Mother Teresa said: “Find your own Calcutta.”  - Mother Teresa

n  “Deliverance can come to us only by the defeat of our old life. Safety and peace come only after we have been forced to our knees. God rescues us by breaking us, by shattering our strength and wiping out our resistance." - A.W. Tozer

3 Disturbing Facts:

n  26,500 children die daily in the world due to cases related to poverty. (World Vision)

n  In today’s modern times, one of every three people lives on less than $ 2 a day. 2.4 billion people total. (The Green Bible, HarperOne 2010)

n  Close to a million homeless students attended U.S. public schools in 2008-2009. That was a 41 percent increase over the previous two years. (Source: "Schools report surge in homeless students," USAToday.com, July 31, 2010)

3 Helpful Prayers:

n  “Clean me from my sin, fill me with your Spirit, and clothe me in humility.” – Johnny Hunt.

n  ACTS = Adoration. Confession. Thanksgiving. Supplication.

n  Pray for: a worship service, your church finances, missions, an unsaved person, family members, character qualities, trials, troubles, a difficult person, someone who is sick.

3 Helpful practices for growth

n  Journaling – write it down, record it.

n  Ministry of presence – just be there.

n  Maintain a sense of adventure in life – don’t dry up or stop learning.

“Count your many blessings name them one by one, Count your many blessings see what God has done,  Count your blessings, name them one by one. Count your many blessings see what God has done.”

There is wisdom in that little message. Sometimes we fail to realize how blessed most of us really are in life. What can you count as a blessing today?

Here are five simple but important blessings I thank God for

• The blessing of health

• The blessings of running water, daily food, clothing, shelter.

• The blessing of family.

• The blessings of a local church and Christian people.

• The blessing of salvation in Jesus Christ.

Blessings are not to be hoarded but shared. As you count your blessings remember that you can be a blessing to someone else by practicing generosity and service.

Here are a few books I have either read recently or want to read in the near future:

Radical – David Platt

Transformational Church – Ed Stetzer and Thom S. Rainer

Practicing Greatness – Reggie McNeal

When the Game Is Over It All Goes Back in the Box – John Ortberg

Crazy Love – Francis Chan

Made to Stick – Chip Heath and Dan Heath

I Am Not But I Know I Am – Louie Giglio